They travelled from near and far to bid farewell to the former Senator for Kneecaps, solemn and humble in the presence of greatness.

Esteemed members of the legal profession sallied across Queens Square, state politicians brisked down from Macquarie Street, and the highest public officers in the land flew in from the nation’s capital to attend the state funeral of Graham Richardson AO, honoured for his singular talent in wielding political influence.

The crowd spilled onto the street after Graham Richardson’s funeral.Credit: Sam Mooy

The bells of St James rang out across town.

It was not an easy path that brought mourners to this place and time.

The ceremony was to have been held at St Mary’s Cathedral in accordance with Richardson’s Catholic faith, but the church reportedly declined to honour the family’s wishes for the coffin to be draped in the Australian flag or the St George Illawarra Dragons flag.

A compromise had to be made. What would Richo do? What would Henry VIII do?

Inside St James’ Church ahead of the state funeral for Graham Richardson, with the Dragons flag as part of the service.Credit: James Brickwood

Fortunately, as Richardson’s widow Amanda would later tell the congregation, the Prime Minister’s department was endlessly........

© The Sydney Morning Herald